EP1056152A2 - Structure d'antenne dans une carte d'extension pour un dispositif électronique - Google Patents

Structure d'antenne dans une carte d'extension pour un dispositif électronique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1056152A2
EP1056152A2 EP00660091A EP00660091A EP1056152A2 EP 1056152 A2 EP1056152 A2 EP 1056152A2 EP 00660091 A EP00660091 A EP 00660091A EP 00660091 A EP00660091 A EP 00660091A EP 1056152 A2 EP1056152 A2 EP 1056152A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
card
strip
antenna structure
antenna
wireless communication
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00660091A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1056152A3 (fr
Inventor
Simo Vapaakoski
Lauri-Pekka Alanko
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nokia Oyj
Original Assignee
Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd
Nokia Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd, Nokia Inc filed Critical Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd
Publication of EP1056152A2 publication Critical patent/EP1056152A2/fr
Publication of EP1056152A3 publication Critical patent/EP1056152A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/2258—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles used with computer equipment
    • H01Q1/2275—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles used with computer equipment associated to expansion card or bus, e.g. in PCMCIA, PC cards, Wireless USB
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/08—Means for collapsing antennas or parts thereof
    • H01Q1/085—Flexible aerials; Whip aerials with a resilient base
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/36—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
    • H01Q1/38—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a card-like wireless communication device as set forth in the preamble of claim 1.
  • the invention also relates to a method in the manufacture of an expansion card for an electronic device as set forth in the preamble of claim 7.
  • the invention also relates to an expansion card for an electronic device as set forth in the preamble of claim 9.
  • various electronic devices such as portable personal computers (PC) are often equipped with an expansion card interface slot, to which a standardized expansion card can be connected.
  • These expansion cards are intended to form a functional unit with the PC.
  • the expansion cards can also contain the radio parts of a wireless communication device, including an antenna, wherein the PC can, by means of this card-like wireless communication device, communicate with other devices or a communication network, such as the GSM network (Global System for Mobile Communication).
  • GSM network Global System for Mobile Communication
  • the antennas are used for the transmission and reception of radiofrequency signals, and the signals are transmitted between the radio part and the antenna of the wireless communication device normally by means of wires and connectors.
  • PC cards complying with the PCMCIA standard (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association).
  • PC cards are designed to be inserted fully inside a PC, but so-called extended PC cards are longer than ordinary PC cards. These extended PC cards are placed partly outside the PC, wherein the thickness and design of the PC cards may vary in this part to be placed outside the PC. In a manner known per se, this part usually contains the separate antenna of the wireless communication device.
  • One known card-like wireless communication device comprising a transceiver with its antenna is the Nokia Cellular Card Phone, i.e. a card phone that can be connected to expansion card connections of PC card types II and II complying with the PCMCIA standard.
  • Fig. 1 One embodiment of the card phone according to prior art is shown in Fig. 1, and the operation of the card phone is described in more detail in e.g. US patent publication 5,809,115.
  • the antenna part containing the antenna is placed outermost in the part located outside the PC, this part being connected to the card-like part of the card phone that is placed at least partly inside the expansion card interface slot.
  • Other known card-like wireless communication devices are presented in U.S. patent publication 5,628,055, disclosing a separate turnable antenna that can be attached to the end of the card, and US 5,361,061, disclosing a foldable antenna pivoted on the top surface of the end of the extended card.
  • expansion cards include e.g. a so-called CompactFlash (CF) card complying with the CFA standard (Compact Flash Association).
  • CF CompactFlash
  • CFA Compact Flash Association
  • expansion cards for a wireless local area network (WLAN) include also a so-called Miniature Card, whose size is only 38 mm ⁇ 33 mm ⁇ 3.5 mm, as well as a so-called SmartMedia card, whose size is only 45 mm ⁇ 37 mm ⁇ 0,76 mm, and a so-called MultiMediaCard (MMC), whose size is only 32 mm ⁇ 24 mm ⁇ 1.4 mm.
  • MMC MultiMediaCard
  • One drawback in known card-like wireless communication devices is that during the use and when placed in the expansion card interface slot, particularly the antenna structure forms a part protruding from the electronic device.
  • the interfaces often comprise a protective cover to protect the expansion card, which must be kept open when the antenna structure extends outside the electronic device.
  • the protruding part of the antenna structure and the protective covers may stick in something particularly during the transportation and use of the device, as well as cause damage. Therefore, the card must be removed after the use and be stored separately from the device.
  • the card-like wireless communication device of the invention is characterized in what will be presented in the characterizing part of claim 1.
  • the method in the manufacture of an electronic device according to the invention is characterized in what will be presented in the characterizing part of claim 7.
  • the expansion card for an electronic device according to the invention is characterized in what will be presented in the characterizing part of claim 9.
  • the essential principle of the invention is to use a bendable, flexible strip-like antenna structure.
  • the card-like wireless communication device constitutes preferably a compact unit with standard dimensions.
  • the antenna structure When unfolded, the antenna structure extends outside the electronic device, but the protruding part is a flexible, preferably solid part which is flexible and bendable upon touching, wherein the risk of damage is reduced, particularly in comparison with rigid, elongated antenna structures.
  • the strip When the strip is folded against the card, the card does not need to be removed from the electronic device for the time of transportation, wherein it is faster to take the device and the card into use. At the same time, the insertions and removals of the card into and from the interface are reduced, wherein the wear and malfunction of the interface are reduced. Thanks to the flexible structure, the forces directed to the antenna structure are not transmitted to the attachments of the strip, wherein damage to the attachments and the card itself is avoided.
  • the attachments are simple and small-sized, wherein the antenna structure according to the invention also utilizes as little space inside the card as possible, thereby vacating space for other components.
  • the strip with its attachments is also easy and inexpensive to manufacture. It is often advantageous that the antenna is brought farther away from the electronic device to reduce the effect of electromagnetic interference, which is now made possible by the invention in a safe way.
  • the flexible antenna can be bent against the card, wherein it fits preferably entirely in the expansion card interface slot, preferably at least under a closed protective cover that is possibly provided to protect the interface.
  • a particular advantage of the invention is that the strip can be used for pulling the card out from the expansion card interface slot, wherein a short card can be used also in devices with no mechanism for pushing the card out.
  • Another particular advantage of one embodiment of the invention is that when the antenna structure comprises two transverse antenna elements, good electrical functioning of the antenna in different position of the strip can be secured in such a way that a first antenna element is placed further away from the outer surface on the strip or at the outermost end of the unfolded strip, and a second antenna element is placed e.g. close to the outer surface.
  • the second antenna element is exposed in the opening of the interface and thereby outermost in the direction of the cover surface and the bottom surface.
  • the invention is applicable for use particularly in electronic devices which are suitable for networks of low power radio frequency (LPRF) to be used as wireless local area networks, such as piconets, wherein the range of operation is normally from 0.1 to 10 m, even 100 m if necessary. These wireless networks operate in the ISM range at the frequency of 2.4 GHz.
  • the invention is suitable for use in so-called Blue-tooth technology, whereby cables can be replaced by the radio channel e.g. between PC devices and peripheral equipment.
  • Figure 2 shows an expansion card according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, which is a card-like wireless communication device CP and which is a PC card complying with the PCMCIA standard.
  • the length L of the PC card is 85.6 mm and the width W is 54 mm.
  • the PC cards are divided into three types, wherein the thickness T of the PC card can be 3.3 mm (type I), 5.0 mm (type II) or 10.5 mm (type III).
  • the PC cards are designed to be fully inserted in a PC by a movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis X of the PC card, but so-called extended PC cards can be even 40 mm longer than ordinary PC cards.
  • the PC card is equipped with a 68-pin connector P complying with the PCMCIA standard, by means of which the PC card is connected e.g. to a PC.
  • the pin P is arranged in the frame structure edging the PC card at the end of the PC card.
  • the connector P is normally fixed to a circuit board placed inside the PC card (not shown in the figure), which is also equipped with all the components (e.g . IC) required for the operations of the PC card and the wirings for conducting the electrical signals between the connectors and the components.
  • the PC card normally comprises a cover surface 1, a bottom surface 2, and an enclosing outer surface 3, which consists at least partly of a frame structure edging the PC card on all sides and which is substantially transverse to the surfaces 1 and 2.
  • the peripheral outer surface 3 consists of four straight outer surfaces which are placed at substantially right angles to each other.
  • the connector P, the circuit board, the frame structure, and the cover structures forming the cover surface 1 and the bottom surface 2 are assembled to form a PC card according to Fig. 2.
  • the cover structures are normally formed of a thin metal sheet with a substantially even thickness.
  • the connector P and the frame structure are normally at least partly of plastic, such as polyethylene (PE).
  • PE polyethylene
  • the frame structure can comprise several separate parts and the connector structure P can be integrated in the frame structure.
  • the frame structure can at least partly constitute the cover surface 2 and/or the bottom surface 2 together with the cover structures.
  • the frame structure can comprise several separate parts and the connector P can constitute a part of the frame structure.
  • the structure of the cover structures and their attachment to the frame structure may vary.
  • the cover structures can partly form the outer surface 3 by extending on top of the frame structure.
  • the antenna structure ANT of the card-like wireless communication device CP is formed as a flexible strip 4.
  • the strip 4 is shown in its straightened position, wherein it extends outside said outer surface 3 and is also placed in parallel with said cover surface 1 and bottom surface 2.
  • the strip 4 extends outside the closed area formed by the outer surface 3 and simultaneously outside the card CP, particularly outside its second end, to make it possible to pull the card CP out from the expansion card interface slot of an electronic device.
  • in the unfolded position of the strip 4 it is also placed between the planes defined by the cover surface 1 and the bottom surface 2, and as shown in Fig. 3, it joins one of said planes.
  • the frame structure forming the outer surface 3 of the CP card is well suited for the attachment of the strip 4, because it is normally made of plastic and does therefore not interfere with the electrical operation of the antenna structure ANT.
  • the strip 4 is fixed in a stationary and immobile way at the centre of the outer surface 3 by an attachment in the direction of the cover surface 1, at the end of the card CP opposite to the connector P and symmetrically in relation to the longitudinal direction of the card CP.
  • the strip 4 can be used to pull out the card CP from the expansion card interface slot, because in its straightened position the strip 4 protrudes from the interface.
  • the strip 4 is preferably solid to prevent tearing.
  • the strip is planar and rectangular, its one long side being attached to the card CP.
  • the strip 4 is made e.g. of a fabric containing plastic. It is also possible to use flexible PCB materials (Printed Circuit Board).
  • the antenna normally an antenna wire, is e.g. printed, laminated or woven inside the material or on the outer surface of the strip.
  • the strip 4 can also be equipped with texts, instructions and logos.
  • the strip 4 must be sufficiently strong under tensile stress so that it would not be torn or broken when used for pulling out.
  • the strip 4 is preferably arranged spring-like, wherein if released, it will be set in the straightened position shown in Fig. 2.
  • the antenna structure ANT formed by the strip 4 comprises an antenna element ANT1 which is arranged at the outermost end of the strip 4 as far from the card CP as possible and at the same time from the electronic device, to reduce the effect of electromagnetic interference.
  • Figure 3 shows an expansion card according to a second advantageous embodiment of the invention, which is a card-like wireless communication device CP and which is a CF card complying with the CFA standard.
  • the length L of the CF card is 42.8 mm, the width W is 36.4 mm and the thickness T is 3.3 mm (type I) or 5 mm (type II).
  • the references and numerals of Fig. 3 refer also to the parts shown in Fig. 2 and to the description above.
  • the CF card is equipped with a 50-pin connector P complying with the CFA standard.
  • the antenna structure ANT of the card-like wireless communication device CP is formed as a flexible strip 4, wherein the antenna structure ANT comprises two antenna elements ANT1 and ANT2 transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the card CP.
  • the strip 4 mentioned in the Fig. 3 is illustrated in a slightly bent position.
  • the strip 4 is attached to the edge of the outer surface 3 in a fixed and immobile way with an attachment in the direction of the bottom surface 2, at the end of the card CP opposite to the connector P.
  • the strip 4 can be used to pull out the card form the expansion card interface slot, because the strip 4 protrudes from the interface.
  • the antenna element ANT1 is arranged at the outermost end of the strip 4 and the antenna element ANT2 is arranged close to the outer surface 3.
  • the antenna element ANT2 is placed in the bent part of the strip 4 farthest away from the card CP. It is thus placed as far from the card CP as possible and simultaneously from the electronic device, to reduce the effect of interference.
  • the electrical operation of the antenna structure is also disturbed by the metal-containing parts of the electronic device and the connection.
  • the more detailed implementation of the antenna elements ANT1 may vary and is, on the basis of the above description, obvious for anyone skilled in the art.
  • the strip 4 can also be bent against the cover surface 1 and the bottom surface 2 in Fig. 2.
  • the attachment point of the strip 4 can differ from that presented, wherein the strip 4 is attached to the cover surface 1 or the bottom surface 2 but, according to the invention, extends in its straightened position outside the outer surface 3 parallel to the cover surface 1 and the bottom surface 2, wherein the strip 4 can be brought out from the interface and be folded on the opposite side of the card CP, if necessary.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Support Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Structure Of Receivers (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
EP00660091A 1999-05-28 2000-05-19 Structure d'antenne dans une carte d'extension pour un dispositif électronique Withdrawn EP1056152A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI991218 1999-05-28
FI991218A FI991218L (fi) 1999-05-28 1999-05-28 Elektroniikkalaitteen laajennuskortin antennirakenne

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1056152A2 true EP1056152A2 (fr) 2000-11-29
EP1056152A3 EP1056152A3 (fr) 2003-02-05

Family

ID=8554758

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00660091A Withdrawn EP1056152A3 (fr) 1999-05-28 2000-05-19 Structure d'antenne dans une carte d'extension pour un dispositif électronique

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US6594506B1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1056152A3 (fr)
FI (1) FI991218L (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001144523A (ja) * 1999-10-08 2001-05-25 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd アンテナアセンブリおよびその製造方法
EP2190065A1 (fr) 2008-11-24 2010-05-26 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. Terminal sans fil et carte d'interface de réseau sans fil

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JP2001337741A (ja) * 2000-05-26 2001-12-07 Toshiba Corp 電子機器
CN1197408C (zh) * 2000-12-20 2005-04-13 皇家菲利浦电子有限公司 具有包括至少转发器单元的转发器电路的附属单元的移动通信设备
KR100583483B1 (ko) * 2001-02-26 2006-05-24 마츠시타 덴끼 산교 가부시키가이샤 통신 카드, 및 통신 기기
US7006846B2 (en) * 2001-03-08 2006-02-28 Northrop Grumman Corporation Credit card communication system
JP2002341965A (ja) * 2001-05-14 2002-11-29 Alps Electric Co Ltd カードを備えた情報機器
DE10358995A1 (de) * 2003-12-15 2005-07-14 Detewe Deutsche Telephonwerke Aktiengesellschaft & Co. Kg Telekommunikationsanlage und Verfahren zu deren Betrieb
US7742787B2 (en) * 2005-04-25 2010-06-22 Medtronic, Inc. Wireless data communication card with compact antenna
JP2006340367A (ja) * 2005-06-02 2006-12-14 Behavior Tech Computer Corp 内蔵式アンテナ及びコネクタを備える無線送信装置
TWI380501B (en) * 2007-08-22 2012-12-21 Wistron Corp Antenna structure and related expansion card and computer apparatus
CN101383445B (zh) * 2007-09-03 2012-06-27 纬创资通股份有限公司 天线结构及其相关扩充卡与计算机装置
US20090159709A1 (en) * 2007-12-24 2009-06-25 Dynamics Inc. Advanced dynamic credit cards
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EP2249432A1 (fr) * 2009-05-07 2010-11-10 Gemalto SA Dispositif destiné à doter un terminal de tout ou partie de fonctionnalités radiofréquences

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001144523A (ja) * 1999-10-08 2001-05-25 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd アンテナアセンブリおよびその製造方法
EP2190065A1 (fr) 2008-11-24 2010-05-26 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. Terminal sans fil et carte d'interface de réseau sans fil

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1056152A3 (fr) 2003-02-05
FI991218A7 (fi) 2000-11-29
FI991218L (fi) 2000-11-29
FI991218A0 (fi) 1999-05-28
US6594506B1 (en) 2003-07-15

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